For the Baker family of Conover, North Carolina, on April 16, 2007, the foundation of their lives would be damaged beyond repair when their son Travis Lee Baker, 19, vanished in the blink of an eye.
Through the years father and son could be found hunting, fishing or traveling together into town for one thing or another. So it was understandable when Travis goes missing his buddy, friend and father would comb the county from morning till night searching for his son. All the father wanted was to have him found. He joined and listed his son on every organization site for missing persons. He'd registered Travis with the CUE Center for Missing Persons, a national search organization for families headquartered in Wilmington, N.C. His cell phone was set on speed dial with the Sheriff's office, calling for updates on any new possible leads.
On June 24, 2009, in a shallow grave, underneath a stacked pile of wood, the skeletal remains of Travis Lee Baker were found. He'd been murdered by John Mitchell, Jr. who confessed to the crime.
Just days before Mitchell was to stand trial for the murder of Travis Lee Baker, the district attorney in Catawba County, North Carolina cut a deal with the cold blooded killer. Mitchell plead guilty to second degree murder and robbery. Instead of a life sentence for taking a human, he will only spend a dozen years, give or take, for the murder of Travis.
Travis Lee Baker wasn't given the opportunity to plead for his life, then why should the killer be given that opportunity?
Dwayne Baker is asking the residents of Catawba, Burke and Caldwell County at election time to come together and be a unified voice for justice. When the district attorney James C. Gaither, Jr. comes up for re-election use your voice and don't cast your vote for a district attorney's office that treats victims families like criminals, arresting them when they are wanting answers while the murderer is allowed to make a deal for freedom at some point in the future.
Yes, deals for stone cold killers are made all the time in an effort to save tax payer dollars. But I surmise that if the pubic started holding those in office accountable for true justice and representation of the people, the tune would change. The public must be more informed to change the status quo for those allowed to make deals on the graves of others!
Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.
